Heat-work cycle for steam cycle electric power generation plants

摘要

A heat recovery apparatus and method suitable for steam cycle electrical generating plants including at the exhaust of a steam turbine one or more heat transfer units for capturing the heat in steam, including the latent heat of vaporization of the steam. Heat is transferred from the steam to a working fluid in at least one heat transfer unit. The heat transfer unit may also include a cooling apparatus. Piping and valves establish communication of the working fluid between the heat transfer unit and the gas turbine generator. The working fluid is moved through the system by selectively isolating sections of the piping and adding or taking away heat from adjacent sections to create pressure differentials. Connecting adjacent sections results in the movement of the working fluid mass as a result of the pressure equalization.